Socialite Paris Hilton is facing a legal showdown with her former business partners after she was slapped with a countersuit over her own-branded shoe line.

The hotel heiress and fashion designer sued bosses at Antebi Footwear Group last month (Apr14) amid allegations they failed to pay her royalties in exchange for allowing them to use her name to create a collection of high-end women's heels in 2007.

She claims she has since received less than half of the $720,000 (£450,000) deal, and is now seeking more than $1 million (£625,000) in compensation.

However, Antebi executives are fighting back, insisting Hilton broke the terms of their contract first by reportedly taking their money and then signing with rival shoe firm Retouch last year (13) for a collection of footwear called Parisian Parc.

They claim she caused further offence by then taking to her Twitter.com blog and tweeting, "Obsessed with all my new shoe designs. Love how all the fabrics & colors go perfectly with my bags."

Antebi chiefs filed a breach of contract suit in Manhattan Federal Court in New York on Saturday (17May14), demanding $2 million (£1.25 million) to cover the return of royalties and additional damages.